Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-29
4 BRIEFLESS BARRISTER'S STORY.

Walter Digby, barrister at law and a
gentleman of the press, sat in his chambers
slipping his coffee and reviewing his life
The raison d etre of the one occupation was
that it was his breakfast hour, and Of the
other that it was the twenty-seventh ami
versary of his birth. He was in a serious
though not melancholy, mood this morn,
ing. The train of thought, natural on
such an occasion, had led up to the realiza-
ton of the possibility that he might be a
failure in life. This contingency led Wal
ter to survey his past and contemplate his
future. His soliloquy ran somewhat in
this wise:
al was born neither lucky nor rich. My
father, failure in trade, became faint
hearted, and left me poor but honest lad
10 the tender mercies of his brother-a re-
tired ironmonger of the town of Bristol,
with no children, considerable bankers
balance and a strong interest in political
affairs. The said uncle early discerned in
me the premonitions Of genius, and formed
the highest hopes Of me as a future leader
in the cause Of reform. He sent me to Ok
ford, and, as the royal road to Parlia-
mentary life, ordered me to become bar
rister. This injunction | duly sbeyed. /
kept my terms, read my books, and bassed
my examinations-and was duly called.
But and there was a. eproachful tone
as he proceeded in his searching self-exam-
inatin, "Cai bono l have not obtained
brief. | have not contested Il constitu-
ency. No, have wandered abroad, led a
Bohemian life, figured in second rate Ken
sington society at balls, at homes and
garden parties; obtained some reputation
for lawn tennis and some fame for flirting.
| am now three years off thirty, it is four
since | was called; my patron uncle is
close on threescore, and my success in law
and service to reform consist in casual
visits to he Courts and occasional contri-
buttons to the papers,
As was natural, good resolutions followed
this inward searching of heart He would
at once settle down to legal treatises and
the law 'r(-ts, abhor clubs, and anathema-
tie u wing rooms, ''cut' the good fellows,
and avoid the social sirens, study the land
question: and deliver lectures at working
mems clubs. This course carried out in
his mind, Walter proceeded to perform his
daily penance at the desk, with resolution
in his mind and something like peace in
his heart
He loyalty observed his self-denying or
dinance. South Kensington drawing
rooms knew him no more that season the
"Loungers" had to lament deserter. He
cast off all his friends, retaining but two
or three kindred spirits. Henceforth. dill
gently attending the Courts, reading up
eases, writing for the press and studying
speeches. he lived laborious days But no
briefs came. Being without bacl1-stair in
duence, the solicitors passed him over with
out thought. Nor could he work up suf-
ticient beliefin the religion of humanity"
to discourse to "the great unwashed" on
the virtues of universal suffrage and the
vices Of aristocracv. But still he perse-
vered and actually allowed himself only
two weeks holiday in the long vacation at
the lakes, instead of two months-as of
yore-at foreign watering places And he
returned ready 10 renew the struggle with
greater ardor.
But his fall was at hand 4 perfumed
little missive awaited him at his chambers.
SOUTH KESsINGToN, Monday
DEAR Mr.. DIGBY: l haven't seen you for an
age, but hear you return to town to day give
my last garden party on Wednesday at three.
and command your presence. If YOU do not
come 1 shall think you have gone over to Rome
or utterly forsakeu your sincere friend.
MARIAN LAlINGToN.
Mrs. Marian Lamington was the one
member of the fair sex to whom Walter
Digby had been faithful in his friendship
Having husband twenty years her senior
who lived and had his being on Change
she had large amount Of spare time on
her hands, which she partially consumed
by giving garden parties in the summer
and at homes in the winter, at which
she endeavored to collect as many promis-
ing young men and interesting Young la
dies as possible. Walter had been an ha-
bitue ut these reunions, and had become
one Of Mrs. Lamington's favorities. Dur
ing his reformation he had felt the loss
of nothing so severely as these symposi-
ums.
The temptation was too strong Taking
up the little note pensively, he reflected on
the many cheering words and sympathetic
sentences he had heard from her when he
was still in the heydev of youth.
"She has been very good to me- Come
| can't quite exercise her. will GO"
Wednesday saw this determination full
filled.
q have a new member to introduce"
exclaimed Mrs. Lamington, as she led
Walter into the large garden, after she had
rallied him on his recent seclusion. at is
her first season, and have her with me
for few days. She is the only daughter
of Mr.. Templeton-a successful stock
broker. She has been educated in Ger
many and is quite blue-stocking am
sure you will like her"
An amused smile passed over Walters
face. This was not the first time Mrs. LAM
lngton had presented him to manageable
young lady, rich and learned. in whom she
expected him to find his destiny. II was
one of her theories of life that the first
thing an ambitious young man should do
was to marry money. Before he could
make reply, however, Mrs Lamineton was
introducing him to a fair-haired girl of
about 10, with wonderfully expressive
rather than remarkably beautiful features
Mrs. Lamington left them. Before. how
ever, Walter could utter more than few
commonplace, burly man, with racquets.
came 20 claim his companion for a tennis
game about to begin.
Walter walked from the spot discom-
flied. May Templeton had made an indie
Unable impression upon him. There was
4 thoughtfulness in her face combined
with 4 gayety in her manner which so in
terested him that he felt quite angry at
the interruption. He reioined Mrs. Lam
ington, however, and patiently watched
the tennis players. Presently a group of
ladies discerned him and carried him off
TO another part of the garden Freeing
himself at last from their attentions, he
returned to the tennis court. On his way.
however, he came across the enchantress
sitting on a seat shaded by an avenue of
trees. SEE lg himself beside her he be-
gan the CO ed conversation.
care Y / not fatigHed, Miss Templeton,
after your exertions on the lawn? ] must
compliment you on your retreat for il is
jmmoderately warm"